AVRAM GRANT last night labelled Sir Alex Ferguson an April Fool as the row over Premier League fixtures boiled over again.

The United manager infuriated Chelsea by accusing them of whingeing about the fact they have been forced to play two games in three days this month – on April 14 and 17.

But Grant, who will tonight boldly leave both Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack on the sidelines as his team take on Fenerbahce in their Champions League quarter-final here in Istanbul, said: “What day is it? This must be a joke. I like Alex, but...”

Chelsea are outraged at being forced to play Wigan at home on Monday, April 14 and then go to Everton three days later because of the demands of Sky TV – while their title rivals United and Arsenal both have six clear days to recover from their games on the 13th.

Ferguson said: “Chelsea got an advantage last season and it still did not stop us winning the league.”

The United boss was referring to Tottenham having to play the Blues just 38 hours after a UEFA Cup tie in Seville, a game Spurs lost 1-0.